What are yopur post-op struggles and how are you dealing?

Hi all,

Just thought I'd throw this out there and see what other post-ops have been struggling with...if anything!  

For me, water (beverages of any sort) have been a huge struggle for me.  Other than the liquids I was "eating" (soups, popsicles, etc), I've had no interest in drinking beverages...especially water.  I've been trying so hard the past two days to turn that around and I'm hoping I'll be able to!  Any tips from anyone as to how you've been meeting your liquid/water goals?
 
In addition to my liquid struggle...protein has been a pain for me as well.  I have had NO interest in protein shakes since surgery and have tried to get my protein in from other sources but I have realized that I'm not getting nearly enough in.  It's crazy when I think about it because I actually LOVED them before surgery but can't even stomach the thought of them now.  I need to change this!  Any tips here?

I know this issues have slowed my progress...I have a follow up with my surgeon next week so I need to start working on things now!

Anyone else what to share their struggles or any tips for success??

Thanks!

I am struggling to eat at all during the day. 
I am loving the results and feeling great but eating ...Can't really be bothered with it...I can take it or leave it really.
Can't drink water at all..hate the stuff...I can drink tea so that is what I do just drink tea. so thinking about it I get a bit of the protein I need through the milk in my beverage.
Last night I made a VERY big mistake and had cream on some pureed strawberries.  Oh I am regretting it BIG time....Never trust a fart...if you know what I mean.  So I think i am learning to eat again this time healthy like.

Back to work on Monday so I think that things will probably change again then and I will have to think again. I have lunch already planned...Baby food..in sachets..| work in an office with only 3 others so It should be alright apart from next Thursday when I have a training course in Cardiff (Wales).  I am not sure what I will do then as I am still on mushies.  Maybe just a cup a soup.  I will think about it.  Any ideas?

I am also struggling with getting my liquids in. I have tried adding crystal light to my water, but that gets old fast. I have tried Vitamin water and that did work for awhile but still not getting enough water in.  I am also struggling with getting in all of my protein and I also can not stand one more protein drink. I can not stomach them at all. Another struggle is that I am easily tired. I know it maybe from not getting in enough protein throughout the day. Any suggestions?

Up until 2 days ago, liquids were the hardest for me as well. I used to LOVE water. Drank it, and nothing but it, all day long. And then BAM! I utterly detes****er. And we're not alone...I see posts like this on the main board all the time. So I tried Isopure, crystal light, etc. I could handle a little and then ugh...couldn't do it anymore. I finally figured out that I just can't stand tart things. I've never been a fan of tart/sour before surgery, but now it's like the flavor is intensified. And no matter how much Splenda I use to make it sweeter, I'm just so over the tart fruit flavor.

So here's how I get all my liquids in...I have 20 oz of skim milk mixed with 1 scoop of unflavored protein first thing in the morning and sip on that for maybe an hour and a half (I put ice in it to keep it cold). Then during the day I drink decaf tea sweetened with Splenda. I can usually get in 20-30 oz of that during the rest of my day at work. When I get home, I drink a coffee cup of water (just so that I can say I drank water). When I'm not trying to drink it ALL day, I can handle the water ok. Then when I climb in bed to wind down before sleep, I drink a coffee cup of Diet V8 Splash (Berry Blend) or skim milk. And BOOM - all my liquids in for the day, and it doesn't seem so hard anymore. So don't worry that your liquids HAVE to be H2O. Any liquid that isn't overly caffeinated will work.

I also struggle with protein...and I probably will for the rest of my life. I see people who've been in maintenance for years who still have to drink a protein shake on days when they don't reach their goal. I too liked the protein shakes just fine before surgery...now, not so much. I've tried lots of different kinds, but I think it's the same old flavors every day (plus how thick they are) that was killing me. I'm so sick of Choc/vanilla/Strawberry...

For me, the unflavored protein has been such a find. Speaking of...I mixed one scoop into SF Jello when I made some the other night, and it was AWESOME! You totally couldn't taste it AT ALL. Now, it looked kinda gross, because instead of being clear, the jello was milky colored. But close your eyes, and enjoy something that counts as protein and a liquid!! I added it to SF pudding (the kind you make yourself, not the premade stuff), and again...you couldn't taste it in there. SCORE!

Some other protein things I do: Thankfully, I'm not lactose intolerant, so skim milk has been a huge help. Cheese also goes down extremely well, and has a good amount of protein, so I pretty much have at least an ounce of cheese per day. Weirdly enough, chicken tends to sit like a brick in my stomach, but ham, pepperoni, eggs, and fish work beautifully. Even still, I'm getting about 50-55g of protein per day. My doc prefers 60g, so I'm trying my best to figure out how to up it a little more.

Water and protein seem to be the common problem here! It was the same for me, maybe still is! Yesterday wsa the first day I got in a decent amount of protein and the day before that I managed to get in 7 cups of water. Now I just need to do both on the same day!
It really is a difficult task! I have taken a few measures to try and get in my water and protein from now on, but it's still going to be a struggle. I know I will have to be very disciplined.

1- I have decided I must track my intake of all foods and liquids daily. This helps me see what I still need to get in. I also think I will try to plan my meals and drinks 1 or 2 days in advance, that way I will already know what I need to eat and drink to get in what I need.

2- Yesterday I started drinking a protein drink for my breakfast. That's really the only way I will get in the amount of protein I need everyday

3- I need to stop sleeping in when I have a day off from work. It is so much harder to get in my water and protein when I wake up late in the morning, even though it feels so good!

I'm with everyone else...protein & water are the hardest part, unless I sip sip sip all day.  I also am used to drinking with a straw, but forgot, and found I do suck too much air, so that straw bit the dust!  I LOVE my coffee-house protein shake, but can't have it for a few more days...it has decaf coffee, vanilla & caramel latte protein powder, s/f vanilla caramel creamer & ff 1/2 & 1/2 served over crushed ice...yum!  That's one I drink because I like it, not because I tolerate it!

My other huge problem is allergies & sneezing...holy c**p!   Hurts like he!!...

I'm having the same issues as the rest of us....protein and liquids. I am feeling the effects of not enough liquids so I have made a conscious effort to up my liquids but I seem to be going backwards. Tomorrow I am taking a whole new strategy and I am going to have 64 ounces of liquids put aside including my broths and not go to bed until it is all done. It's that or the hospital within a few days of this 16-20 oz days.That all I keep telling myself.

I guess you can add me to the list of not getting enough liquids and protein in lately.  I started out really strong, but once I moved on to soft foods AND went back to work it came to a screeching halt.  I told myself that starting April 1, I would do everything in my power to turn it around.  I did manage to get all my liquids in both yesterday and today, but the protein is still a little slow.   I had gotten away from the shakes because I'm tired of all the sweet stuff, but it looks like I'm gonna have to add them back to help get me back on protein track.

Eydie

Same here..protein makes me want to braf just to spell it..I did find the EAS low carb premade, they have choc, strawberry, vanella..i can do them very well!!  And I have problems still getting in the 64 oz of fluids.  I feel like I drink all the time, but the #s are not working out =(  Good luck, you can get through it!!